Neural control system and method for alternatively fueled engines

• US 6,687,597 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2002
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saskatchewan Research Council
• Original Assignee: Saskatchewan Research Council
• Inventors: Young, Kimberley Allan, Sulatisky, Michael Theodore, Hill, Sheldon George, Gnanam, Gnanaprakash, Song, Yimin
• Primary Examiner(s): WOLFE JR, WILLIS RAY
• Application Number:
  US10/107,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20030187567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 701/101, 701/102, 701/103, 701/104, 701/105, 701/106, 701/109, 701/110, 701/115, 123/1.A, 123/672, 123/673, 123/674, 123/679, 123/687, 123/689, 123/478, 123/480, 123/486, 123/525, 123/526, 123/527, 123/575, 123/27.GE, 123/299, 123/305
• US Class Current: 701/104
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/20 specially adapted for catalytic conversion F01N3/22 takes precedence; Methods of operation or control of catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/061 by controlling fuel injectors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0623 Failure diagnosis or prevention; Safety measures; Testing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0642 at least one fuel being gaseous, the other fuels being gaseous or liquid at standard conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0692 Arrangement of multiple injectors per combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/081 Adjusting the fuel composition or mixing ratio; Transitioning from one fuel to the other
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0414 Air temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0027 the fuel being gaseous non-electrical control F02D19/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1405 Neural network control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1438 using means for determining characteristics of the combustion gases; Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1456 with sensor output signal being linear or quasi-linear with the concentration of oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

A powertrain controller of a vehicle provides fuel injection pulses based on gasoline operation. The pulse widths of the fuel injection pulses are modified with reference to air temperature, engine speed, and exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) content to control fuel injectors for an alternative fuel such as natural gas. The EGO content, based on alternative fuel operation, is detected and compared to a desired air-fuel ratio or desired fuel trims to provide error information that is used to adjust the modification of the pulse widths. In response to the error information, a neural network (as an example) dynamically adjust the pulse widths of the alternative fuel injection based on the weights of measured, detected engine speed, EGO, universal exhaust gas oxygen, or air temperatures. The engine operating on alternative fuel is provided with the proper mixture of alternative fuel and air to respond to various engine loads and meet emission standards.

Claims

1. A method of modifying a fuel injection signal having a pulse width, the fuel injection signal being provided by a controller managing a fuel powered apparatus receiving gasoline and an alternative fuel for electrical control of a gasoline operated injector and an alternative-fuel operated injector, the controller having information on temperature, exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) content, air-fuel ratio, fuel trims and a control system type, the method comprising:

(a) receiving the pulse width of the fuel injection signal;

(b) receiving the information on the temperature, the EGO content, and the fuel trims;

(c) modifying the pulse width of the fuel injection signal based on the received information, the modified pulse width controlling alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector to the fuel powered apparatus;

(d) determining whether an error criterion is met based on measured information of the fuel powered apparatus operating on the alternative fuel and desired response information; and

(e) repeating the steps (c) and (d) when the error criterion is not met.

2. The method of claim 1, further including (a) providing the alternative fuel to the alternative fuel injector, the alternative fuel injector being configured to operate on the alternative fuel, the alternative fuel being one of:

natural gas, propane, and hydrogen; and

(b) providing the gasoline to the gasoline injector.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) includes:

obtaining a value of the EGO content as the measured information; and

providing a desired EGO content as the desired response information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) includes:

obtaining a value of the air-fuel ratio as the measured information; and

providing a desired air-fuel ratio as the desired response information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) includes:

determining a closed-loop pulse width in response to the pulse width of the fuel injection signal when the control system type is closed-loop, the closed-loop pulse width, the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector and the determination of the error criterion being performed in response to the closed-loop pulse width.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising adjusting the closed-loop pulse width based on speed density information of the fuel powered apparatus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) includes:

determining an open-loop pulse width in response to the pulse width of the fuel injection signal when the control system type is open-loop, the open-loop pulse width, the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector and the determination of the error criterion being performed in response to the open-loop pulse width.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising adjusting the open-loop pulse width based on speed density information of the fuel powered apparatus.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) includes:

obtaining the fuel trims information as the measured information; and

providing desired fuel trims information as the desired response information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of obtaining the fuel trims information includes obtaining a measured short-term fuel trim.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of obtaining the fuel trims information includes obtaining a measured long-term fuel trim.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of obtaining the fuel trims information includes obtaining a measured short-term fuel trim and a measured long-term fuel trim.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein step (d) includes:

obtaining a value of the air-fuel ratio as the measured information; and

providing a desired air-fuel ratio as the desired response information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein step (c) includes:

determining a closed-loop pulse width in response to the pulse width of the fuel injection signal when the control system is closed-loop, the closed-loop pulse width and the determination of the error criterion being performed in response to the closed-loop pulse width.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising adjusting the closed-loop pulse width based on speed density information of the fuel powered apparatus.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising obtaining information on temperature of the fuel powered apparatus in operation.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising obtaining the speed density information of the fuel powered apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein step (c) includes changing the pulse width in response to the temperature information, the speed density information and the value of the air-fuel ratio.

19. A system for modifying a fuel injection signal having a pulse width, the fuel injection signal being provided by a controller managing a fuel powered apparatus receiving gasoline and an alternative fuel for electrical control of a gasoline operated injector and an alternative-fuel operated injector, the controller having information on temperature, exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) content, air-fuel ratio, fuel trims and a control system type, the system comprising:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to obtain the pulse width of the fuel injection signal;

a mechanism constructed and adapted to receive the information on the temperature, EGO content and the fuel trims;

a mechanism constructed and adapted to modify the pulse width of the fuel injection signal based on the received information, the modified pulse width controlling the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector to the fuel powered apparatus; and

a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine whether an error criterion is met based on measured information of the fuel powered apparatus operating on the alternative fuel and desired response information.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the mechanism to determine includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to obtain a value of the EGO content as the measured information and to provide a desired EGO content as the desired response information.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the mechanism to determine includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to obtain a value of the air-fuel ratio as the measured information and to provide a desired air-fuel ratio as the desired response information.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the mechanism to determine includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to obtain the fuel trims information as the measured information and to provide desired fuel trims information as the desired response information.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the mechanism to modify the pulse width includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine a closed-loop pulse width in response to the pulse width of the fuel injection signal when the control system type is closed-loop, the closed-loop pulse width, the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector and the determination of the error criterion being performed in response to the closed-loop pulse width.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the mechanism to determine the closed-loop pulse width includes a mechanism constructed and adapted to adjust the closed-loop pulse width based on speed density information of the fuel powered apparatus.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the mechanism to modify the pulse width includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine an open-loop pulse width in response to the pulse width of the fuel injection signal when the control system type is open-loop, the open-loop pulse width, the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector and the determination of the error criterion being performed in response to the open-loop pulse width.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the mechanism to determine the open-loop pulse width includes a mechanism constructed and adapted to adjust the open-loop pulse width based on speed density information of the fuel powered apparatus.

27. A system for controlling fuel injection of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the system comprising:

sensors applied to the vehicle for sensing parameters relating to the vehicle and the fuel injection;

a controller for providing a fuel injection signal having a pulse width based on the sensed parameters;

a fuel injector for injecting a first fuel in a first mode and a second fuel in a second mode into the engine;

a comparator for comparing the sensed parameters with reference parameters to provide an error signal;

a pulse width modifier for changing the pulse width in response to the error signal; and

a switch for providing the fuel injection signal to the fuel injector and the pulse width modifier in the first and second modes, where;

(i) in the first mode, the fuel injector injects the first fuel into the engine in response to the pulse width of the fuel injection signal,

(ii) in the second mode, the fuel injector injects the second fuel into the engine in response to a modified pulse width of a modified fuel injection signal, the modified pulse width being one changed by the pulse width modifier, the parameters sensed by the sensors in the second mode being provided to the comparator, the comparator providing the error signal in comparing the sensed parameters to the reference parameters.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the first fuel includes gasoline and the second fuel includes an alternative fuel, the first mode being a gasoline operation mode, the second mode being an alternative fuel operation mode.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the fuel injector comprises first and second injectors, the first injector injecting the gasoline into the engine in the first mode and the second injector injecting the alternative fuel into the engine in the second mode.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the controller includes means for determining the fuel injection signal in response to the sensed parameters in the first mode, the fuel injection signal having a gasoline pulse width for enabling operation of the engine on the gasoline.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the controller includes means for determining the fuel injection signal in response to the sensed parameters in the second mode, the fuel injection signal having an alternative fuel pulse width for enabling operation of the engine on the alternative fuel.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the pulse width modifier includes means for changing the gasoline pulse width of the fuel injection signal to the modified pulse width in response to parameters sensed during operation of engine on the alternative fuel.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the alternative fuel includes a gaseous fuel.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the gaseous fuel is one of propane and hydrogen.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the gaseous fuel includes natural gas, the second mode being a natural gas operating mode, the fuel injector including first and second injectors for injecting the gasoline and the natural gas.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the sensors include an exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor for obtaining an EGO content and an engine temperature sensor for obtaining an engine temperature, wherein the sensed parameters are formulated from the EGO content and the engine temperature.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the controller includes means for providing information on a closed-loop status of the controller.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the pulse width modifier includes means for varying the pulse width in response to the EGO content, the engine temperature and the closed-loop status.

39. The system of claim 35, wherein the sensors include a universal exhaust gas oxygen (UEGO) sensor for obtaining air-fuel ratios wherein the sensed parameters are formulated from the air-fuel ratios.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the controller includes means for providing information on a closed-loop status of the controller.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the pulse width modifier includes means for varying the pulse width in response to the air-fuel ratios and the closed-loop status.

42. The system of claim 35, wherein the controller includes means for providing fuel trims in response to the sensed parameters.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the sensors includes a universal exhaust gas oxygen UEGO sensor for obtaining air-fuel ratios.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the controller includes means for providing information on a closed-loop status of the controller.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the pulse width modifier includes means for varying the pulse width in response to the air-fuel ratios and the closed-loop status.

46. A vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising first and second groups of fuel injectors, the first group of injectors being gasoline injectors, the second group of injectors being alternative fuel injectors;

the vehicle comprising;

sensing means for providing information on air for use in the engine, engine temperature, and exhaust gas oxygen content;

control means for providing a fuel control signal having a pulse width in response to the information provided by the sensing means;

means for selecting a path of the fuel control signal;

first fuel injection means for controlling the gasoline injection by the gasoline injectors in response to the pulse width of the fuel control signal, while the path of the fuel control signal is selected to the first fuel injection means;

pulse modification means for modifying the pulse width of the fuel control signal when the path of the fuel control signal is selected to the pulse modification means; and

second fuel injection means for controlling the alternative fuel injection by the alternative fuel injectors in response to a modified pulse width of the fuel control signal.

47. The vehicle of claim 46, wherein the pulse modification means includes means for changing the pulse width of the fuel control signal in response to the information provided by the sensing means.

48. The vehicle of claim 47, wherein the sensing means includes means for sensing values of a manifold air pressure, an engine speed, a coolant temperature, and an intake temperature.

49. The vehicle of claim 46, further comprising means for providing information on fuel trims.

50. The vehicle of claim 49, wherein:

the sensing means includes means for sensing values of a manifold air pressure, an engine speed, a coolant temperature, and an intake temperature; and

the pulse modification means including means for changing the pulse width of the fuel control signal in response to the sensed values and the fuel trim information.

51. The vehicle of claim 49, the pulse modification means further comprises:

means for comparing the sensed values and the fuel trim information to reference values and providing errors therebetween; and

means for changing the pulse width of the fuel signal in response to the errors.

52. The vehicle of claim 46, further comprising means for providing gaseous fuel as the alternative fuel.

53. The vehicle of claim 52, wherein the alternative fuel is one of natural gas, propane and hydrogen.

54. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer logic stored therein for modifying a fuel injection signal having a pulse width, the fuel injection signal being provided by a controller managing a fuel powered apparatus receiving gasoline and an alternative fuel for electrical control of a gasoline operated injector and an alternative-fuel operated injector, the controller having information on temperature, exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) content, air-fuel ratio, fuel trims and a control system type, the computer program product including:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to obtain the pulse width of the fuel injection signal;

a mechanism constructed and adapted to receive the information on the temperature, EGO content and the fuel trims;

a mechanism constructed and adapted to modify the pulse width of the fuel injection signal based on the received information, the modified pulse width controlling the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector to the fuel powered apparatus; and

a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine whether an error criterion is met based on measured information of the fuel powered apparatus operating on the alternative fuel and desired response information.

55. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the mechanism to determine includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to obtain a value of the EGO content as the measured information and to provide a desired EGO content as the desired response information.

56. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the mechanism to determine includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to obtain a value of the air-fuel ratio as the measured information and to provide a desired air-fuel ratio as the desired response information.

57. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the mechanism to determine includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to obtain the fuel trims information as the measured information and to provide desired fuel trims information as the desired response information.

58. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the mechanism to modify the pulse width includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine a closed-loop pulse width in response to the pulse width of the fuel injection signal when the control system type is closed-loop, the closed-loop pulse width, the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector and the determination of the error criterion being performed in response to the closed-loop pulse width.

59. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the mechanism to determine the closed-loop pulse width includes a mechanism constructed and adapted to adjust the closed-loop pulse width based on speed density information of the fuel powered apparatus.

60. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the mechanism to modify the pulse width includes:

a mechanism constructed and adapted to determine an open-loop pulse width in response to the pulse width of the fuel injection signal when the control system type is open-loop, the open-loop pulse width, the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector and the determination of the error criterion being performed in response to the open-loop pulse width.

61. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the mechanism to determine the open-loop pulse width includes a mechanism constructed and adapted to adjust the open-loop pulse width based on speed density information of the fuel powered apparatus.

62. Computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to perform a method of modifying a fuel injection signal having a pulse width, the fuel injection signal being provided by a controller managing a fuel powered apparatus receiving gasoline and an alternative fuel for electrical control of a gasoline operated injector and an alternative-fuel operated injector, the controller having information on temperature, exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) content, air-fuel ratio and fuel trims, the method comprising:

(a) receiving the pulse width of the fuel injection signal;

(b) receiving the information on the temperature, EGO content, and the fuel trims;

(c) modifying the pulse width of the fuel injection signal based on the received information, the modified pulse width controlling the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector to the fuel powered apparatus;

(d) determining whether an error criterion is met based on measured information of the fuel powered apparatus operating on the alternative fuel and desired response information; and

(e) repeating the steps (c) and (d) when the error criterion is not met.

63. In a vehicle controller, in which a fuel injection signal having a pulse width is modified, the fuel injection signal being provided by the vehicle controller managing a fuel powered apparatus receiving gasoline and an alternative fuel for electrical control of a gasoline operated injector and an alternative-fuel operated injector, the controller having information on temperature, exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) content, air-fuel ratio and fuel trims, a memory medium comprising software programmed to provide the modified fuel injection signal by a method comprising:

(a) receiving the pulse width of the fuel injection signal;

(b) receiving the information on the temperature, EGO content, and the fuel trims;

(c) modifying the pulse width of the fuel injection signal based on the received information, the modified pulse width controlling the alternative fuel supplied by the alternative fuel injector to the fuel powered apparatus;

(d) determining whether an error criterion is met based on measured information of the fuel powered apparatus operating on the alternative fuel and desired response information; and

(e) repeating the steps (c) and (d) when the error criterion is not met.